The decision took on added significance, as it was “Salute to the Military” night in San Diego, the home one of the largest Navy bases in America.
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Asked about his decision, he told NFL Media, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color”.
Later, Kaepernick said the encouragement he heard was especially meaningful because of the people from which it came. Veterans and military members tweeted their support for Kaepernick in recent days under the hashtag “VeteransForKaepernick”.
Kaepernick spoke after the 49ers’ 31-21 preseason victory Thursday night against San Diego. Lane said he doesn’t know Kaepernick, but was “standing behind him”.
“The message is that we have a lot of issues in this country that we need to deal with”, Kaepernick said.
“More than anything, the people just saying, ‘We support you, we’re with you, don’t let anybody deter you from what you’re trying to do, ‘ ” he said.
The point of the conversations, according to multiple sources, has been to take what started as a controversial protest and move it into a more active and impactful direction. Kaepernick has been subject to heated criticism since his choice to sit during the anthem last week.
As a prime example that controversy sells, Colin Kaepernick’s jersey sales have impressively spiked this week since he began his decisive sit-down during the National Anthem last weekend. “I have to help these communities”, Kaepernick said. One of the goals was to find a way to show respect to the military while still standing up for what they believe in.
After the game, while approaching a tunnel that leads to the visitor’s locker room, he suddenly cut to his right and jogged toward dozens of 49ers fans to chants of “Kaep!” I have to help these communities.
“I love America”, he said.
“It’s something I plan to keep on doing until I feel justice is being served”, Lane said. I’m very much in support of them and how we handle it. And more than whether we agree or disagree with Kaepernick’s actions, or the cultural narrative he argues justifies those actions, I’m interested in the ways this ephemeral blip on the culture radar has revealed how we think about signs and symbols, and how arbitrary and subjective those ways can be.
Gabbert is expected to be named the starting quarterback for the 49ers’ regular-season opener on Monday, Sept. 12, against the Los Angeles Rams.
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As he signed autographs and posed for pictures, it was clear the fans’ affection was not exclusively a product of his solid performance on the field – 11-of-18 passing for 103 yards and 38 yards rushing on four carries.
